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M1CUK > NEWS 31.12.07 00:13l 433 Lines 18204 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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GB2RS NEWS
Sunday 16 December
The news headlines
• Take part in the High Speed Morse contest
• Shuttle launch delayed until 2008
• BWBF awards amateurs
Attention all those who can send and receive good Morse at high speed.
The 6th IARU Region 1 High Speed Telegraphy championships are being held
at Pordenone in Italy between 23 and 27 April 2008.
Anyone interested in representing the UK is invited to contact RSGB
General Manager, Peter Kirby, G0TWW, by post to RSGB Headquarters, or by
email to gmdept@rsgb.org.uk. More information on this event is available
on the web at www.hst2008.org.
----------------------------------
NASA has announced that the launch of the space shuttle Atlantis to the
International Space Station would be delayed until at least 2 January.
The launch date was postponed from its original date of 6 December
because of a failure in a fuel sensor system. The shuttle will transport
Columbus, the space laboratory built by the European Space Agency (ESA).
Attached to Columbus are two antennas for the Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station project.
The mission, STS-122, will bring seven astronauts to the ISS, including
Commander Stephen N. Frick, KD5DZC, Mission Specialist Hans Schlegel,
DG1KIH and Mission Specialist Léopold Eyharts, KE5FNO. Flight Engineer
Dan Tani, KD5DXE, already on board the ISS, will depart when Atlantis
returns to Earth; Eyharts will stay behind on the ISS and take his
place.
---------------------------------
On Sunday 9 December, the British Wireless for the Blind Fund presented
the awards for their Transmission 2007 fund raising event. The award for
the most money raised for the second year running went to the Bittern DX
Group, who brought in £1750. The group also won the category for the
most contacts made during the 48-hour event. The individual winners were
Simon Treacher, 2E0CVN, from Orpington, Kent, who made the most number
of contacts, and Dr Roger Bloor, from Newcastle under Lyme, who raised
the most money. The final sum raised by the competition was £4,485. The
British Wireless for the Blind Fund raises money to provide specially
designed broadcast radios for blind people. More information on their
activities can be found on the web at www.blind.org.uk
---------------------------------
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has issued what might
be the longest special event callsign in the history of amateur radio.
The Blue Mountains Amateur Radio Club has been granted the callsign
VI 2 B M A R C 50, to commemorate the club's 50th anniversary.
VI2BMARC50 will be on-air from 18 to 28 January 2008. Details of the
operating schedule and QSL information will be posted on the club's
website at www.bmarc.org.
---------------------------------
A reminder, now, of news that broke late last week. Some of the
equipment that was loaned for the Yaesu sponsored 3B7C DXpedition was
stolen when the container returned to the UK. Full details and serial
numbers of the equipment are listed on the RSGB website. If anyone is
offered a cheap deal on an FT-2000, FT-847 or VP-1000 PSU it may be part
of the stolen consignment. Yaesu UK is offering a reward for information
leading to the conviction of the criminals responsible.
----------------------------------
Please note that there will be a GB2RS bulletin as usual on Sunday 23
December, but not on the following Sunday, December 30. The first GB2RS
of the new year will be on Sunday 6 January. Anyone with news of events
taking place between now and 6 January should send it to the RSGB by
email to gb2rs@rsgb.org.uk as soon as possible.
----------------------------------
Now for the news of special events
John, G7HIA, and Robert, G8ATE, will be using the call sign GB0OO until
16 December. The station celebrates the launch of amateur radio's first
satellite, Oscar 1, on 12 December 1961. Operation will be solely on
analogue satellites. Further details are at www.turlington.supanet.com.
----------------------------------
And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News, the Ohio-Penn DX
Bulletin and other sources.
E4/OM2DX is scheduled to be operational from Palestine this week.
Palestine is a DXCC entity that has not been activated for about eight
years. Two stations are expected to run until 22 December, with activity
from 160 to 10 meters on CW, SSB and RTTY. More information and updates
are at www.om2dx.com.
F1BCS will be active as 3B8/F1BCS from Mauritius, IOTA reference AF-049,
until 24 December. He plans to operate SSB and digital modes such as
PSK31, JT65, and RTTY on 40, 20, 15 and 10 metres.
F8HJV is on Levant Island, IOTA EU-070, until 22 December. QSL via his
home call.
JA6GXK will be active again as JD1BMM from Minami Torishima, IOTA
OC-073, until 27 December. Activity periods are likely to be 0900 to
1300 and 2000 to 2200 UTC. He plans to concentrate on the low bands. QSL
to JD1BMM, via the JARL bureau.
-----------------------------------
Now the contest news
The Croatian CW Contest takes place from 1400 on the 15th to 1400 on the
16th of December. All bands between 1.8MHz and 28MHz may be used, except
the WARC bands. The exchange is RST and serial number.
On Tuesday 18 December, the RSGB 1.3 and 2.3GHz activity evening takes
place between 2000 and 2230UTC on all modes. These activity contests are
timed to coincide with the last two hours of European activity events,
with an extra half hour at the end to encourage intra-UK activity. The
rules can be found on the web at www.vhfcc.org.
And now the solar factual data for the period from the 3rd to the 9th of
December, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS.
The solar disc had sunspot groups visible every day. On the 6th a
sunspot group rotated into view, and this group grew in size and
complexity. The group produced a number of B class solar flares. The
largest was a
B9 on the 9th. Solar activity remained at very low levels. Despite the
sudden increase in flare activity and the appearance of sunspot groups
we are still at sunspot minimum. The recent sunspot groups that have
been
visible have all belonged to the old sunspot cycle which could suggest
that the new cycle is still some time away. Solar flux levels increased
from 73 units on the 3rd to 89 by the 9th. This is the highest daily
figure since the 3rd of February this year. The average was 80 units.
The 90 day solar flux average on the 9th was 69, that’s one unit up on
last week. X-ray flux levels increased from below the minimum level to
A5.7 by the 9th. The average was A1.7 units. Geomagnetic activity was
quiet every day. On the 8th the Ap index was zero. Now, that doesn’t
happen very often. The average was Ap 1 unit, which is the lowest weekly
average
for many a year. With the very quiet geomagnetic field the ACE
spacecraft saw little change in all parameters. Wind speeds varied
between 300 and 400 kilometres per second. Particle densities remained
below 10 particles per cubic centimetre throughout. Bz only varied
between minus and plus 5 nanoTeslas.
The low geomagnetic figures and improved flux levels gave a modest boost
to 14MHz propagation, with openings to South America and Oceania in the
morning and western Canada and the United States in the afternoon. 18MHz
also opened east-west at times, but there was little activity at 21MHz
and above. A few 28MHz contacts were reported over relatively easy paths
on the first day of the ARRL contest. Higher solar flux meant that low
band propagation was slightly below recent levels.
And finally the solar forecast. This week the quiet side of the Sun is
expected to be looking our way. Solar activity should continue at very
low levels. Solar flux levels are expected to be around the 70 mark all
week.
For the next few days due to a recurring coronal hole the geomagnetic
field should be unsettled, maybe even up to active levels on Monday or
Tuesday. Activity is expected to return to quiet levels by the end of
the
week. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around
19MHz for the south and 16MHz for the north. The darkness hour lows
should be about 7MHz. Paths this week to Australia should have a
maximum usable frequency with a 90 per cent success rate of around
21MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate
will be about 17MHz. The best time to try this path will be between
1000 and 1300 hours UTC.
And that’s all for this week from the propagation team.
--------------------------------
Next, the Local News:
Please note that details of all RSGB-affiliated clubs and societies
can be found on the RSGB website, including e-mail addresses
and website links where known.
NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-EAST and EAST ANGLIA
On Monday 17 December Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society is
having its club social. Contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.
On Monday 17 December Surrey Radio Contact Club is having its fix-it,
advice, chin wag and move-it-on evening. Contact Ray, G4FFY, on 020 8644
7589.
On Tuesday 18 December Maidenhead and District Amateur Radio Club is
having its Christmas quiz and construction contest. Contact John, G8RYW,
on 01628 628 463, or by email to g8ryw@tesco.net.
On Tuesday 18 December Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a social evening. Contact Neil, M0ARH, on 01438 217 077.
On Wednesday 19 December Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
having Christmas drinks in the WHC Bar. The club is closed on 26
December and 2 January. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 506 344, or by
email to terry.g0vfw@ntlworld.com.
On Wednesday 19 December Dover Radio Club is having an operating and
natter night. The club is closed on 26 December. Contact Brian, G4SAU,
by email to g4sau@DARC.org.uk.
On Wednesday 19 December Fareham and District Amateur Radio Club is
having short talks and a review of the year plus mince pies. No meeting
on 26 December. Contact Ken, M0KLS, on 02392 797 240.
On Wednesday 19 December Havering and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a Christmas drink at the Queen's. The club is closed on 26
December. Contact Dave, 2E0EBV, on 07956 594 514.
On Wednesday 19 December Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a special session – "all the knobs and buttons on your rig
explained". Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.
On Thursday 20 December Cray Valley Radio Society is having Christmas
drinks. Contact bob, BRS32525 on 020 8265 7735 after 8pm or by email to
g6fsp@tars.org.uk.
On Friday 21 December Loughton and Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society
is having an informal meeting at Robin Hood House. Contact Marc, G0TOC,
on 020 8502 1645, or by email to info@lefars.org.uk.
On Friday 21 December Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night and table top sale. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273 845 103, or by
email to sue@figgerit.co.uk.
On Friday 21 December Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a talk by
Mike Marlow, G3IAF, on G6XN contesting in 2008. Details on the web at
www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.
-----------------------------------
NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST
On Sunday 16 December Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
having its AGM at the Southwick Village Hall, Southwick, Trowbridge.
Membership will be renewable and those joining during 2008 will have
free membership in 2009. Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, E/W.
On Monday 17 December Appledore and District Amateur Radio Club is
having its Christmas Party. Contact Beryl, G1SVP.
On Tuesday 18 December Chippenham District Amateur Radio Club is having
its last meeting of 2007. Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 846 698 evenings
and weekends, or on the web at www.g3vre.org.uk.
On Wednesday 19 December Exmouth Amateur Radio Club is having its
Christmas party. Contact g0uil@eclipse.co.uk.
On Wednesday 19 December South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having its
Christmas social. The club will be closed on 26 December. Contact Len,
G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.
On Wednesday 19 December Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is having the Chairman's quiz and social evening. There will
be no meeting on 26 December or 2 January. Contact Tony, G0WMB, by email
to tonytsgarc@beeb.net.
On Wednesday 19 December Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
having its final meeting of 2007. Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698,
E/W.
On Thursday 20 December Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a mince pies
and on the air evening. There will be no meeting on 27 December. Contact
Gary, 2E0BFJ by email to g.swain@tesco.net.
On Friday 21 December Guernsey Amateur Radio Society is having its XYL
night. Contact Phil, GU0SUP.
---------------------------------
NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS
On Monday 17 December Aldridge and Barr Beacon Amateur Radio Club is
making arrangements for its New Year lunch and January AGM. Contact Roy
Horton, G4GRM, on 01922 691646, or by email to leslie137@btinternet.com.
On Tuesday 18 December Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is
having its Christmas social. No meeting 25th December. Contact Martin,
G3SZJ, on 01332 556 875.
On Tuesday 18 December Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having its Christmas drink at the Pied Bull. No meeting 25th December or
1st January 2008. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.
On Wednesday 19 December Melton Mowbray Amateur Radio Society is having
its society raffle, announcing the G3MCK contest result, and having a
buffet supper. Contact Geoff, G3STG, on 01664 480 733, or by email to
g3stg@btinternet.com.
On Wednesday 19 December Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having its annual Christmas dinner at the Allscott Inn. HQ is closed on
26 December. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677, or by
email to mjstreetg3jkx@blueyonder.co.uk.
On Thursday 20 December RAF Waddington Amateur Radio Club is having
'nibbles in the shack'. Contact Martin, M0MDF, on 01522 752 785,
martin@farmer4.freeserve.co.uk.
On Thursday 20 December Salop Amateur Radio Society is having its mince
pies evening. There will be no meeting on 27 December. Details on the
web at www.salop-ARS.org.uk.
On Thursday 20 December Tamworth Amateur Radio Society is having a shack
night on air, operating G8TRS. Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on 01827 700
893, colin.marks2@ntlworld.com.
On Friday 21 December Coventry Amateur Radio Society Club is having its
Christmas meal out. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 02476 273 190, or by email
to johng8seq@ntlworld.com.
On Friday 21 December Hucknall Rolls-Royce Amateur Radio Club is having
its Christmas party from 7.30 in the club shack. Details on the web at
www.hrrarc.com.
-----------------------------
NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND
On Monday 17 December Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having its
Christmas meal. Contact Trevor, M0TWS.
On Monday 17 December South Manchester Radio And Computer Club is having
its monthly technical forum. Contact Ron, on 0161 969 3999.
On Monday 17 December Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having
its Christmas Party. There will be no meeting on 24 or 31 December.
Contact Jack, G4BFH, by email to jack.duddington@btinternet.com.
On Tuesday 18 December The Bolton Wireless Club meets for a presentation
on "Auto position reporting using packet radio" by Ross G6GVI and Chris
G4HYG. Email g6gvi@qsl.net for more information.
On Tuesday 18 December Chester and District Radio Society is having its
construction contest. Details on the web at www.chesterdars.org.uk,
info@chesterdars.org.uk.
On Tuesday 18 December Stockport Radio Society is having its Christmas
social evening. Contact David, M1ANT, on 0161 456 7832.
On Wednesday 19 December Great Lumley Amateur Radio and Electronics
Society is on the air. Contact Nancy, 0191 477 0036, 07990 760 920, or
by email to nancybone2001@yahoo.co.uk.
On Wednesday 19 December Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is having a
cheese and wine evening and a Christmas quiz. Contact Richard, G0JIT, by
email to rsa@zetnet.co.uk.
On Thursday 20 December Pontefract District Amateur Radio Society is
having a pie and peas Christmas special. Contact Colin, G0NQE, on 01977
677 006, info@pontefractradioclub.org.
On Friday 21 December South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having
its Christmas party. The club will be closed on 28 December. Contact
Ron, on 0161 969 3999.
On Friday 21 December Tynemouth Radio Club is having an operating and
Morse night. No meeting on 28 December. Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to
tony.regnart@gmail.com.
---------------------------
NEWS FOR SCOTLAND
On Thursday 20 December Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas Party. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663, or on the web
at www.aars.freeserve.co.uk.
---------------------------
NEWS FOR WALES
On Tuesday 18 December Carmarthen Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas dinner. There will be no meeting on 1 January. Contact Les,
GW8PSJ, on 01239 811 922.
On Wednesday 19 December Dragon Amateur Radio Club is having its
Christmas party. Members and visitors are welcome. Contact Martin,
GW3PRL.
On Thursday 20 December Swansea Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas dinner. Contact Roger, GW4HSH, on 01792 404422.
---------------------------
NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
On Monday 17 December Glengormley Electronics Amateur Radio Society is
having a visit by the RSGB's President Angus Annan, MM1CCR. Angus will
talk about Capt. Carlsen, W2ZXM, and the RSGB. The meeting commences at
8 pm at the Knockagh Lodge, 236 Upper Road Greenisland, Co. Antrim. All
are
welcome to attend, including non-members of the Club and non-members of
the RSGB. Contact Robert, GI6WLL, by email to gi6wll@orange.net or
online at www.GN0XYZ.com.
----------------------------
And that’s the end of this week’s GB2RS news broadcast,
prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.
----------------------------
73
Trev,
SysOp gb7fcr.#16.gbr.eu
E-Mail trev@gb7fcr.co.uk
Packet Radio <-> InterNet Gateway
RF & Telnet access
BBS Web Site http://www.gb7fcr.co.uk
WinPack Web Site http://www.winpack.org.uk
Message timed: 15:48 on 14 Dec 07
Message sent using WinPack-Telnet V6.80
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I lost a button hole today.
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